10 Can't -Leave-Without-Them Gifts For Travelers

There’s always a traveler or explorer amongst your family and friends. With Christmas just a few days away, what do you give these globetrotters before they fly off to another destination? Give them useful presents that are essential to their lifestyle and handy for their on-the-go schedule. Now ready, jet set, go!

For the serious shopper: Foldable Bags

IMAGE Sea to Summit Facebook page

When we travel, shopping usually becomes part of the itinerary, especially for Filipinos who will always buy pasalubong for family and friends back home. These foldable bags are so small you can attach them to a keychain (see below), and you won’t have to lug along those bulky duffel bags en route.

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

From Sea to Summit Foldable Backpack 20 Liter, P1,490, Foldable Shopping Bag (25 Liter), P1,190, both from Travel Club 

For the early-check-in friend: Sling Bag

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

These stylish sling bags (they come in tan, navy, and black) have so many compartments with RFID protection for cards, passport, and money, plus the bags fit close to the body so you can forget about it while dashing through the airport.

Sling Bags, P900 each, Hahn 

For the airline snoozer: Neck Pillow With Pockets

IMAGE Travelon website

There are travel pillows, and there is this travel pillow. This inflatable neck pillow is not easy to pack; it also has clever pockets to hold your audio device—perfect for long haul journeys.

Travelon Inflatable Neck Pillow with Audio Pocket, P790, Travel Club

For the multiple-country-traveler: Universal Adaptor

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

Keeping gadgets charged up is a necessity while traveling. But if you’ve got a three-prong “Type G” outlet in London and a “Type K” round outlet in Italy and your phone is dead, then this universal, multi-outlet adaptor will come to the rescue.

Samsonite Universal Adaptor, P1,750, The Landmark Department Store 

For the low-batt girl: Multiple Power Banks

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

We all love taking photos when we travel, but this quickly drains our phones’ batteries. Never let your friends’ phones die ever again with this gift that (literally) keeps on giving: a power bank pack, that’s two for the price of one!

Power Banks, P495 for set of two, Miniso

For the hiker: LED Flashlight Keychain

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

Give this LED flashlight keychain to a buddy or cousin of yours who loves to go hiking and camping, or to someone who simply loves to stroll around at night. (Good for ghost-hunting, too.)

LED Flashlight Keychain, P789, Hahn

For the stylish traveler: Kate Spate Luggage Tag

IMAGE courtesy of Powerbooks

We all have a friend who’d rather take endless snaps of her OOTDs than the actual view. Give her this emerald green tag to complete the look!

Off We Go! Luggage Tag, Kate Spade, price available upon request, Powerbooks 

For the happy camper: A Travel “Spork”

IMAGE Light My Fire Facebook page

Another option for your camping partner is this nifty portable spork. No need to bring both spoon and fork with you! This is also great for moms, who can pack this spork for her kids who can’t handle chopsticks yet (a Godsend if you’re traveling to Tokyo or China).

Light My Fire Outdoor Spork, P445, Lagalag Exploration 

For the anywhere-lounger: Kayumanggear Hammock

IMAGE Kayumanggear Facebook page

Whether your friend is a beach bum or bundokera, she’ll definitely love this hammock that you can bring anywhere and attach to any coconut tree or post for an instant nap.

Hammock-in-a-Bag, starts at P995, Kayumanggear 

For the dreamer: Travel Planner

IMAGE Kamila Garcia

This specific planner is made especially for a traveler who not only documents by photos, but by keeping notes and jotting down observations and experiences. Here, you can write down your schedule, jot down itineraries and memories, set goals, plus be inspired by the facts and details of various countries included within the planner itself.

Navi 2018 Travel Planner, P588, Fully Booked

Where to buy:

Fully Booked

• Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City

Hahn

• Ali Mall, Cubao; SM City, North EDSA, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City; Festival Supermall, Muntinlupa; or follow them on Facebook for more store locations

Kayumanggear

• Follow them on their Facebook page or email them at kayumanggear[at]gmail.com

The Landmark

• Makati Ave., Ayala Center, Makati City; TriNoma Mall, Quezon City

Lagalag Exploration

• LGF Main Bldg., SM City North EDSA, tel. (02) 294-7145

Miniso

• SM Megamall, SM Makati, or follow them on Facebook for new stores

Powerbooks

• Visit their website for a list of branches

The Travel Club

• At major malls like TriNoma, Shangri-la Plaza, SM Megamall, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Cebu, or go to their website for store locations.